Light sealed film cartridge

ABSTRACT

A self-threading, light sealed film cartridge having a curtain device located outside the light sealed portion of the cartridge and adapted to automatically cover and uncover an exposure window in the cartridge. The film end is fixed to the core of a film supply reel, whereby a portion of the film remains adjacent the exposure window after the film in the cartridge has been exposed, enabling removal of the exposed film through the exposure window in the cartridge without destroying the cartridge. A combined film spring compression device, film footage indicator and endof-reel switch actuator is located in the cartridge, and is formed from a single piece of molded material.

[ Sept. 17, 1974 LIGHT SEALED FILM CARTRIDGE [75] lnventorsz-Heinz E.Hertel, Mount Prospect; George K. Konagamitsu, Chicago, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Bell & Howell Company, Chicago,

Ill.

22 Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 21 Appl. No.:349,495

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,326,654 8/1943 Jagust242/71.2 2,624,233 1/1953 Foster.... 2,674,166 4/1954 Sochor. 242/7l.2 X

11/1961 Pfaff 242/712 X Primary Examiner-Robert P. Greiner Attorney,Agent, or Firm-R0bert A. Walsh; Gerald B. Epstein 57 ABSTRACT Aself-threading, light sealed film cartridge having a curtain devicelocated outside the light sealed portion of the cartridge and adapted toautomatically cover and uncover an exposure window in the cartridge. Thefilm end is fixed to the core of a film supply reel, whereby a portionof the film remains adjacent the exposure window after the film in thecartridge has been exposed, enabling removal of the exposed film throughthe exposure window in the cartridge without destroying the cartridge. Acombined film spring compression device, film footage indicator andend-of-reel switch actuator is located in the cartridge, and is formedfrom a single piece of molded material.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 3.aas.9a

PAIENIEb sir I 1 m4 SHEET 2 BF 2 ON mm mm mm, 3 g.

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wmww LIGHT SEALED FILM CARTRIDGE The present invention relates to a filmcartridge assembly, and in particular to a self-threading film cartridgehaving mounted therein a reel of film to be exposed and adapted to beinserted in and removed from a housing such as a microfilm camerahousing.

Microfilm cameras are being extensively used by small as well as largeorganizations to photographicallyrecord important and valuabledocuments. The storage of a facsimile of these documents enables theelimina tion of elaborate file systems, freeing previously used documentstorage space for other productive purposes.

Present microfilming cameras are large, cumbersome, and'expe'nsive,often requiring specially trained personnel to operate and use theequipment. However, many smaller organizations cannot afford the time,expense, or manpower necessary to efficiently utilize presentmicrofilming systems due to their relatively low volume of documentstorage work. These smaller organizations have been compelled to sendtheir work to be microfilmed to outside contractors, or have thesecontractors bring in elaborate equipment to their facilities once asufficient amount of documents has been accumulated.

Some compact microfilnii'ng equipment currently available is adapted tobe used with cartridge-supplied film. However, many of these cartridgesmust be threaded into the camera by the operator, requiring loss of timeand efficiency. In addition, in many cartridge-supplied microfilmcameras, the camera itself comprises a separate unit from the opticalimage p'rojection system, and must be inserted and removed through anopen door in the camera housing. By repeatedly opening the housing inthis way, the light sealed chamber in which the projection systemfunctions is disturbed, enabling light to enter the camera and possiblyexpose a quantity of film near the exposure window of the cartridge. Toavoid partial exposure of the film in the cartridge, some manufacturershave included light shield devices in the cartridge which slide past theaperture window when the cartridge is removed from the camera housing.However, such cameras include a complicated mechanical system for movingthe shield one way when the cartridge is inserted in the camera, and formoving the shield back again when the cartridge is removed.

Most present cartridge-supplied microfilm recording devices include afilm footage meter which indicates the amount of unexposed filmremaining in the cartridge. However, this meter is usually located onthe camera housing itself. As a result, if a cartridge of film isremoved from the camera before reaching the end of the film, thecartridge itself bears no indication of the amount of unexposed, usablefilm remaining in the cartridge. Further, some cameras of the typedescribed have no means to indicate to the operator the approaching endof the reel of film in the cartridge.

An additional disadvantageous feature found in present cartridges usedwith microfilm cameras is the need to break the cartridge to remove thefilm, which requires extra time during developing.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide aself-threading film cartridge particularly adapted to be used inmicrofilm cameras, which cartridge may be inserted into a camera by anoperator and be instantly ready for use. It is also an object of thepresent invention to provide a film cartridge particularly adapted foruse in a microfilm camera which can be inserted in and .removed from thecamera while remaining outside the light sealed chamber in which thecameras projection system is located, without the need to open any doorsor to remove any part of the projection or lens system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a filmcartridge particularly adapted for use in a microfilm camera whichincludes self-biasing means for automatically covering the exposurewindow in the cartridge when the cartridge is removed from the camera.The cover means coacts with a portion of the camera housing to removethe cover from the exposure window when the cartridge is inserted in thecamera.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combinedmolded element for insertion in a film cartridge which maintains apressure force between film accumulated on the supply and take-up spoolsin the cartridge, and includes a film footage meter thereon, and has anend-of-reel actuator arm attached thereto.

While it has been stated that the primary purpose of this invention isto provide a film cartridge for microfilm cameras, many of the featuresof the present invention are not limited to microfilm cartridges, or infact to cartridges containing film. The present inventive concepts areequally applicable to other applications where a different web material,such as magnetic tape or the like, is supplied by cartridge for use-in adevice.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cut-away elevation view of the film cartridge forming partof the present invention with one cover plate removed, the cartridgeshown in relation to several elements of a microfilm camera housing;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the cartridge of FIG. 1, with the coverplate in place;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of one form of a preferred drive mechanism foradvancing the film contained in the cartridge;

FIG. 4 is a view of the cartridge taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view of the cartridge taken along the line 5--5 in FIG. 2; v

FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away top view of the cartridge taken along theline 6-6 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the combinedmolded film compression spring,film footage meter and end-of-film actuator arm forming part of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the cartridge embodying the conceptsof the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. Thecartridge is formed by the juncture of two U-shaped shells l2, 14,whereby the surface 16 of shell 12 forms one outer covering for thecartridge, and the surface 18 forms the opposite outer covering for thecartridge. End panels 20, 22 of shells 12, 14 respectively, are alignedin juxtaposition relative to one another (FIG. to form two parallelwalls around the lateral border of cartridge 10. The two parallel wallsform a guide channel 24 therebetween for purposes to be explained.

Inside of cartridge is light sealed chamber 26 in which a supply reel ofweb material, such as film 28, is located. Film 28 is wound around acore element 30, which is rotatably held in chamber 26 by means ofspindles 32. The end of film 28 adjacent core 30 is permanently fixed tothe core so that the film always remains attached thereto.

Film from reel 28 in cartridge 10 is threaded in a path extending aroundguide roller 34 past exposure station 36 to measuring capstan 38. Thefilm next passes around guide roller 40 to take-up spool 42. Take-upSpool 42 is provided with suitable drive means 44 which are associatedwith drive means 45 disposed in camera housing 46, which housing isadapted to receive cartridge 10. Drive means 44 and 45 provide the meansfor incrementally advancing film 28 along the path just described. Theconstruction and operation ofdrive means 44 and 45 is described ingreater detail in the copending patent application of R. L. Kearney, G.W. Bookless and Heinz Hertel, titled Microfilm Camera Apparatus."

Adjacent exposure station 36 and extending through end panels 20, 22 isan exposure window 48 through which an image is projected onto film 28as the film comes to rest adjacent the exposure station. The end of film28 is prevented from advancing to take-up-spool 42 by being attached tocore 30. As a result, when the film supply 28 is exhausted, a strip offilm will remain adjacent exposure window 48. To remove theexposed filmfrom the cartridge for purposes of developing the film, it is necessaryonly to insert a hooked implement or the like into exposure window 48and pull the film through the window until all of the film has beenremoved from take-up-spool 42. In this way, the film 28 may be removedfrom cartridge 10 without destroying the cartridge.

The camera housing 46 in which cartridge 10 is adapted to be insertedincludes a cartridge chamber 50 formed by an upper wall 52 and a lowersupport member wall 54. Flanges 56, 58 extending from walls 52, 54respectively, define the inward position of cartridge 10 in the housing,and assist in properly locating the cartridge. As cartridge 10 isinserted in chamber 50, aperture block 60 is adapted to extend throughexposure window 48 and firmly but releasably hold film 28 againstexposure station 36. Aperture block 60 is fixed to lens frame 62 which,in turn, is secured to camera housing wall 64. Frame 62 also supportslens assembly 66 through which an image is projected onto film 28through aperture block 60 and exposure window 48. A shutter 68 operatedby solenoid 70 is located between lens assembly 66 and aperture block 60to control the exposure of film 28.

The cartridge which is the subject of the present disclosure hasintegral therewith a curtain means 72 comprising an aperture plate whichis adapted to cover exposure window 48 when the cartridge is notpositioned in chamber 26 so as to prevent unnecessary exposure of thefilm remaining in the cartridge when not in use. Curtain means 72 isalso constructed such that it automatically uncovers exposure window 48when the cartridge is inserted in chamber 50. Referring particularly toFIG. 1, curtain means 72 comprises a strip of spring material, such assteel, which has the inherent characteristic of returning to a linearconfiguration after being relieved of a previously applied distortingforce. The curtain means 72 is located in guide chamber 24 bounded byparallel walls 20, 22 beneath exposure window 48. Surfaces l6 and 18 ofshells 12 and 14 extend over the ends of guide channel 24 and preventcurtain means 72 from moving laterally out of the guide channel.

The lower part of curtain means 72 extends into an open portion 74 incartridge 10 located where end panel 22 extends inwardly and away fromend panel 20. Open portion 74 is bounded by panels 20 and 22, and byanchor rib 76 which extends forwardly from panel 22. The lower terminusof curtain means 72 extends around anchor rib 76 and engages one side ofanchor pin 78. Anchor rib 76 and anchor pin 78 function to hold thelower end of curtain means 72 in a fixed position relative to cartridge10, while the opposite end of the curtain means is able to slidereciprocally in guide channel 24. When the curtain is in the positionshown in FIG. 1, exposure window 48 is uncovered. When the free end ofthe curtain moves upward, it covers exposure window 48.

To automatically uncover exposure window 48 when cartridge 10 isinserted in chamber 50, a curtain control shaft 80 extends outwardlyinto chamber 50 from interior wall 64 of housing 46. The forward end ofshaft 80 terminates in a bar 82 disposed at right angles to shaft 80. Ascartridge 10 is inserted in chamber 50, curtain means 72 is initially ina linear configuration whereby the free end extends upward in guidechannel 24 to cover exposure window 48. Upon the cartridge 10 beinginserted in chamber 50 and moved towards its proper position againstflanges 56, 58, bar 82 extends through slot 84 in cartridge 10 andengages curtain means 72 and distorts the curtain into opening 74,whereby the curtain 72 assumes the position illustrated in FIG. 1. Inthis position, the free end of curtain means 72 is drawn downward touncover exposure window 48 and permit aperture block 60 to partiallypass through the exposure window. The width of bar 82 is slightly lessthan the distance between surfaces 16 and 18, permitting bar 82 to gaineasy access to curtain means 72 through slot 84. When the cartridge isultimately removed from chamber 50, the distorting force applied by bar82 to curtain means 72 is removed, and the inherent characteristics ofthe strip of spring material comprising curtain means 72 enable thecurtain means to return to its linear configuration and again coveraperture window 48.

The advantage of the construction and location of curtain means 72 asdescribed above lies in the fact that the light sealed chamber 26 formedinternally of cartridge 10 is not disturbed by the curtain or themechanical elements employed to operate the curtain. Therefore, upon theremoval of cartridge 10 from chamber 50, the exposure window 48 isautomatically covered, and no light is permitted to enter chamber 26 andexpose the film 28 stored therein. Since all of the mechanical elementspertaining to curtain means 72 and its operation are located outsidelight sealed chamber 26, cartridge can be inserted in or removed fromchamber 50 without the danger of unnecessarily exposing film 28. 1

Another important feature of the present invention pertains to theprovision of a single molded unit which functions as three individual,yet related, elements operable within cartridge 10. This molded element,identified by the numeral 86, and described with reference to FIGS. 1,2, and 5, is shown in detail in FIG. 7 and may be fabricated from anymoldable material, such as plastic, for example.

Molded element 86 comprises, first, a spring means 88 which consists ofa molded strip bent into the shape illustrated in FIG. 7. Film 28 ismounted upon core 30 which has no radially extending side flanges.Take-up spool 42 likewise has no radially extending flanges. As aresult, the spacing dimension between the central axes of core 30 andtake-up spool 42 is less than twice the radial dimension of accumulatedfilm on the core and spool. Spring means 88 functions to apply aconstant compression force on the circumference of the film 28 remainingon core 30 and accumulated on takeup spool 42. As film 28 is drivenalong its path in cartridge 10 from core 30 to take-up spool 42, theradial dimension of reel 28 decreases and spring means 88 floatsdownward as the film is accumulated on take-up spool 42. As it movesdownward, spring means 88 maintains a constant compressive pressurebetween the film remaining on core 30 and the film accumulated ontake-up spool 42.

A second part of molded element 86 comprises film footage indicatormeans 90 which is a flat plate bearing numerals 92 indicating filmfootage, and located to move with spring means 88 inside cartridge 10beneath surface 16. An aperture 94 is located in surface 16 throughwhich the numerals 92 are visually displayed. As film 28 is advancedfrom core 30 to take-up spool 42, film footage indicator 90 movesdownward with spring means 88 and visually displays numerals 92 insequence through aperture 94. Numerals 92 may be calibrated to indicatethe amount of film used, or the amount of film remaining. Elongated slot96 is provided in indicator plate 90 to permit the indicator plate toslide along take-up spool spindle 98, which also functions as a guidefor movement of indicator plate 90.

The third part of molded element 86 functions as a trip lever forend-of-reel signal switch 100 (FIG. 5) at tached to lower wall 54 ofcartridge chamber 50. Switch 100, when actuated by the depression oftrip lever 104, generates a perceptible signal, either audible orvisual, to indicate to the operator that the supply of film on reel 28is nearly exhausted.

To actuate trip lever 104, an arm l06 extends downward from spring means88 along the radius of film reel 28. Arm 106 extends through anelongated opening 108 in the surface 18 of cartridge 10, which openingis long enough to accommodate the full linear movement of arm 106. Thelower portion of arm 106 terminates in a flange 110 which is adapted tocontact trip lever 104 when the supply of film on reel 28 is nearlyexhausted and spring means 88 has caused arm 106 and flange 110 to moveto the position indicated by the numeral 112 in FIG. 5. When trip lever104 is depressed downward by flange 110, switch 100 initiates a signalindicating that reel 28 is nearly exhausted.

Still other modifications to, and uses of, the present invention willreadily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the appendedclaims are to be construed to cover all equivalent structures fallingwithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a cartridge assembly adapted to mount a supply reel of film;

a light sealed chamber in said cartridge;

an exposure window adapted to permit light to enter said light sealedchamber;

a take-up spool mounted in said light sealed chamber;

means to guide said film along a path in said chamber extending fromsaid supply reel past said exposure window to said take-up spool; and

curtain means fixed at one end to said cartridge outside of said lightsealed chamber and having another end slidable between parallel walls insaid cartridge for selectively covering and uncovering said aperturewindow.

2. The cartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein said curtain means isnormally spring biased to cover said exposure window, and movable to aposition to open said exposure window upon application of a lateralforce to a portion of said curtain means.

3. The cartridge assembly of claim 2 wherein said lateral force opposessaid normal spring bias.

4. The cartridge assembly of claim 1 wherein said curtain meanscomprises:

a strip of spring material having one dimension at least equal to thewidth of said exposure window;

said strip of spring material fixed at one end to anchor means providedon said cartridge;

the other end of said strip of spring material adapted to slide betweensaid parallel walls and between a position covering said aperture windowand a position uncovering said aperture window;

said cartridge having an opening therein adapted to receive means forapplying a lateral force to said strip of spring material to distortsaid material.

5. The cartridge assembly of claim 4 wherein the distortion of saidstrip of spring material causes said other end to move between saidparallel walls from said position covering said aperture window to saidposition uncovering said aperture window.

6. The cartridge assembly of claim 5 wherein removal of said lateralforce from said strip of spring material causes said strip of springmaterial to move from a position opening said aperture window to aposition closing said aperture window solely under the influence of theinherent characteristics of said strip of spring material.

7. In a film cartridge assembly adapted to be inserted in and removedfrom a camera housing:

a light sealed chamber in said cartridge;

means to mount a reel of film and a take-up spool in said light sealedchamber;

an exposure window in said cartridge;

means to guide said film along a path in said chamber extending fromsaid reel and past said exposure window to said take-up spool;

curtain means fixed at one end to said cartridge outside of said lightsealed chamber and having another end slidable between parallel walls insaid cartridge for selectively covering and uncovering said aperturewindow upon the application or removal respectively of a lateral forceto a portion of said curtain means;

means extending from said housing adapted to engage said curtain meansand apply said lateral force to said curtain means when said cartridgeis inserted in said housing. I

8. The cartridge assembly of claim 7 wherein:

said curtain means comprises a strip of spring material having onedimension at least equal to the width of said exposure window;

said strip of spring material fixed at one end to anchor means providedon said cartridge;

the other end of said strip of spring material adapted to slide betweensaid parallel walls and between a position covering said aperture windowand a position uncovering said aperture window;

said means extending from said housing adapted to engage and distortsaid strip of spring material when said cartridge is inserted in saidhousing, whereby said strip of spring material slides into said positionuncovering said aperture window.

9. The cartridge assembly of claim 8 wherein said means extending fromsaid housing is removed from engagement with said strip of springmaterial when said cartridge is removed from said housing, whereby saidanother end of said strip of spring material slides to said positioncovering said aperture window solely under the influence of the inherentcharacteristics of said strip of spring material.

10. The cartridge assembly of claim 8 wherein said cartridge includes anopening adjacent said strip of spring material adapted to receive saidmeans extending from said housing, said opening permitting said lastnamed means to engage said strip of spring material when said cartridgeis inserted in said housing.

1. In a cartridge assembly adapted to mount a supply reel of film: alight sealed chamber in said cartridge; an exposure window adapted topermit light to enter said light sealed chamber; a take-up spool mountedin said light sealed chamber; means to guide said film along a path insaid chamber extending from said supply reel past said exposure windowto said take-up spool; and curtain means fixed at one end to saidcartridge outside of said light sealed chamber and having another endslidable between parallel walls in said cartridge for selectivelycovering and uncovering said aperture window.
 2. The cartridge assemblyof claim 1 wherein said curtain means is normally spring biased to coversaid exposure window, and movable to a position to open said exposurewindow upon application of a lateral force to a portion of said curtainmeans.
 3. The cartridge assembly of claim 2 wherein said lateral forceopposes said normal spring bias.
 4. The cartridge assembly of claim 1wherein said curtain means comprises: a strip of spring material havingone dimension at least equal to the width of said exposure window; saidstrip of spring material fixed at one end to anchor means provided onsaid cartridge; the other end of said strip of spring material adaptedto slide between said parallel walls and between a position coveringsaid aperture window and a position uncovering said aperture window;said cartridge having an opening therein adapted to receive means forapplying a lateral force to said strip of spring material to distortsaid material.
 5. The cartridge assembly of claim 4 wherein thedistortion of said strip of spring material causes said other end tomove between said parallel walls from said position covering saidaperture window to said position uncovering said aperture window.
 6. Thecartridge assembly of claim 5 wherein removal of said lateral force fromsaid strip of spring material causes said strip of spring material tomove from a position opening said aperture window to a position closingsaid aperture window solely under the influence of the inherentcharacteristics of said strip of spring material.
 7. In a film cartridgeassembly adapted to be inserted in and removed from a camera housing: alight sealed chamber in said cartridge; means to mount a reel of filmand a take-up spool in said light sealed chamber; an exposure window insaid cartridge; means to guide said film along a path in said chamberextending from said reel and past said exposure window to said take-upspool; curtain means fixed at one end to said cartridge outside of saidlight sealed chamber and having another end slidable between parallelwalls in said cartridge for selectively covering and uncovering saidaperture window upon the application or removal respectively of alateral force to a portion of said curtain means; means extending fromsaid housing adapted to engage said curtain means and apply said lateralforce to said curtain means when said cartridge is inserted in saidhousing.
 8. The cartridge assembly of claim 7 wherein: said curtainmeans comprises a strip of spring material having one dimension at leastequal to the width of said exposure window; said strip of springmaterial fixed at one end to anchor means provided on said cartridge;the other end of said strip of spring material adapted to slide betweensaid parallel walls and between a position covering said aperture windowand a position uncovering said aperture window; said means extendingfrom said housing adapted to engage and distort said strip of springmaterial when said cartridge is inserted in said housing, whereby saidstrip of spring material slides into said position uncovering saidaperture window.
 9. The cartridge assembly of claim 8 wherein said meansextending from said housing is removed from engagement with said stripof spring material when said cartridge is removed from said housing,whereby said another end of said strip of spring material slides to saidposition covering said aperture window solely under the influence of theinherent characteristics of said strip of spring material.
 10. Thecartridge assembly of claim 8 wherein said cartridge includes an openingadjacent said strip of spring material adapted to receive said meansextending from said housing, said opening permitting said last namedmeans to engage said strip of spring material when said cartridge isinserted in said housing.